TROTTING CLUBS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1932, Page 5

TROTTING CLUBS

ANNUAL MEETING

QUESTION OF BOOKMAKERS.

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, July 12. The N.Z. 'Trotting Conference met to-uav.

Utncers were elected as follow: P.esident, H. F. Nicoll, Ashburton; vice-president, J. Roue, Auckland; executive: 0. AX Ollivier, B. S. Irwin, H. R. AicKenzie. * ’

In© President’s proposal for reducing liding fees was adopted. In his report- Air H. Ik Nicoll, President, said, tlut bookmakers weie a tnorny subject. He said: I have never had much to say. on it since I have been your Pie.ident. In years gone by I have wagered with bookmakers in England, .Australia and New Zealand, and, thougn I have not had a bet with a bookmaker in this Dominion, .either directly or indirectly, dur.ng tlie last 15 years or more, the reason for that has been solely because the law of New Zealand makes it illegal to bet, and with the official positions I have the honour to hold it has been my duty to uphold the law, and to set an example to others to. do likewise. There appears to be a, growing feeling is some quarters that the licensing of bookmakers will assist Clubs, and some suggestions, with this end in view, have been circulated ai were published in '.the Racing Official Calendar. . I am bound to say that' in my opinion it is questionable as to wheth'er the suggested financial improvement in the status of Clubs following upon the Advent of bookmens upon the racecourse, would ensue. There are so many factors to be (onsidered, and it would be such an upheaval of existing conditions, thatif such a change were to be seriously considered it would be better to come in the days of prosperity' than in the days of adversity 'we are experiencing for the time; being. I am convinced that the existing happy-go-lucky order of the day where the breaking of the law is openly winked at, is demoralising to the country and a menace to sport. Bookmakers should either licensed, or else the flaw should be sternly enforced. As to halidicappers, this is the third year in which the revised handicapping system has been operating, and, judging by the good results achieved, r; would appear to have come to stay. The' additional rules adopted at the last annual conference. proved beneficial and assisted the smooth' running of the system. Those who a,t .first were a, ilittle dubious about the wisdom of the innovation are now giving it their whole-hearted support. A proposal was made by the President. that each Club that raced on four days or more in any racing year should provide annually one two nr'le rate for horses that could do 4.2-7 or faster, and one one mile find a quarter race for horses that could do 4.23 or faster.

The proposal met witli a mixed reception.

It was decided not ;o accept the proposal -as a definite rule, but to strongly recommend the clubs to adopt it. There was a proposal by tlie Invercargill Club that the Appeal Judges should he appointed by the Executive Committee of the Conference, instead of by the President, as at present. This lapsed for the want of a seconder. . i- •

The Forbury Park Club moved an amendment to the Rules, to provide that counsel might applaar for either party in any proceedings before the Association. The motion was lost. -

An Auckland remit that the CEubs be allowed to frame their programmes according to their circumistances for the next three years was lost. The following rule was adopted: “Every owner shall register his racing colours and shall not race a horsa in colours other than his registered colours,’ except by permission of this Stewards, which permission shall 'he granted only under special jirtumtanres, and on th > payment jf ten shillings for each day that a .'horse belonging to such owner, starts in colours other than his registered colours.”